<p>Every where we look we are hearing more and more about the growing connectedness in our lives. You've likely heard something from Cisco Systems Cisco Systems about the Internet of Everything. From the smartphones and tablets we carry to the cars we drive and the homes we live in. It's not just around us in our personal lives, but also in our work lives. Put those together and there is a significant amount of information that companies can use to improve the customer experience as well as fend off attacks. This move is going to create waves of opportunity for many companies from wireless chip companies like Qualcomm Qualcomm to database and information systems companies like Oracle Oracle and SAP SAP as well as software and services companies like IBM IBM.</p><p>To sort through all of this and discuss the opportunity to be had with what is increasingly called Big Data, I recently spoke with Bob Picciano, senior vice president of IBM's Information and Analytics Group. While some people still think of IBM IBM as computers and cash registers, the company has been busy transforming itself into a Big Data and Analytics powerhouse during the last few years, and that investment is paying off. The combination of more than $24 billion invested to date to build IBM's Big Data capabilities, through a combination of R&amp;D initiatives and more than 30 acquisitions, has led to more than 40,000 service engagements for IBM. Recently, the growth in Big Data recently led to IBM upsizing its 2015 revenue target to $20 billion. The original target was $16 billion, but IBM hit that in 2013. That should give you an idea of how fast Big Data is growing and how IBM is performing.</p><p>Many people still think of IBM as computers, cash registers and the like, but that was the IBM of old what is the IBM of today and the IBM of the future? Today, not only is IBM a systems provider, but we have continuously transformed the company. IBM is a dedicated software- and services-led company that provides a vast set of capabilities around helping companies make data-driven decisions by applying analytics to information already at their fingertips. To underscore this point, this year we came out with one of our most compelling visions around cloud, big data and systems of engagement. We see these three areas fusing together and transforming the industry and our clients.</p><p>Big Data and Analytics is very much at the center of this transformation and serves as the "silver lining" of IBM's core business initiatives today. It is woven throughout our entire portfolio of products, services and industry expertise.</p><p><a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/chrisversace/2014/04/01/talking-big-data-and-analytics-with-ibm/">Keep reading...</a></p><p>Read also:</p><p><a href="http://www.philstar.com/education-and-home/2014/04/03/1308172/analytics-and-ibm">Analytics and IBM</a> (Philippine Star)</p><p><a href="http://www.marketwatch.com/story/head-of-ibm-analytics-product-strategy-joins-pentaho-as-chief-product-officer-2014-04-01?reflink=MW_news_stmp">Head of IBM Analytics Product Strategy Joins Pentaho as Chief Product Officer</a> (MarketWatch)</p><p><a href="http://todaysfacilitymanager.com/2014/04/ibm-launches-new-software-consulting-services-help-organizations-tackle-fraud-financial-crime">IBM Launches New Software &amp; Consulting Services To Help Tackle Fraud</a> (TFM)</p><p>Explore: <a href="http://news.google.com/news/more?ncl=dCJ709xP4xkwpXMqEZMMPg4oAS8yM&authuser=0&ned=us">11 additional articles.</a></p>